Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer - Aretha Franklin has cancer, according to multiple reports.

A relative has confirmed to Detroit's Fox 2 news station that the iconic songstress is battling the disease, while The Detroit News reports that Franklin is suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Franklin was recently forced to cancel all her upcoming concert dates through May and underwent surgery last Thursday while fans helmed a prayer vigil in her native Detroit. Although she did not disclose the nature of her illness, the soul great released a statement saying the procedure was "highly successful."

"God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country," Franklin said. "God bless you all for your prayers!"

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer

The reports cropped up the same day that civil-rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson gave an update about the singer's condition. "She's conscious, communicating and taking daily walks up and down the hall," Jackson told The Associated Press on Wednesday (December 8). He said he had visited the soul icon about four or five times, and added that her "spirits are high, and her faith is strong." "She has amazing strength — body, religion and faith," he said. "It's what he keeps her going."

The reported cancer diagnosis also comes after Franklin broke two ribs from a fall in August, which forced her to miss two concerts in New York.

The music luminary has been secretive about her health problems in the past. In 2004, Franklin was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.